Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-07-29

"Out yonder,' said he, lust before
sunset. saw a sail
The Lionne" cried Pauline, "was it
not, Pierref'
Pierre LIE Tour, who had wandered for
many years over these Normandy hills,
knew every fishing boat by sight which
left the port. To watch the vessels that
passed along the coast was almost the
only distraction he had in life. He had
a keen eye, and could distinguish one sail
from another as distinctly as he could
distinguish the faces in his flock.
aye said he. lit was the Lionne
All the other boats have entered the har-
bor
While speaking they had continued to
ascend the cliff side by side. They now
stood at the outer walls of the ruins.
The lighthouse glared down upon them
few steps above. A revolving ray
caught Pauline looking up eagerly at the
shepherd. Her face was pale and dis
tressful.
"Fernand Demarre is on board"
Your betrothed?'
"Yes, Pierre.
Then why. " he demanded, "have you
left the harbor?''
Il have come here to pray, said she,
"that Fernand may he saved. y
Among these old Norman ruins stood
little chapel; it was all that remained
of an ancient monastery. This small
building, known as La Chapelle de la
Verge, was famous shrine, to which
fishermen ard their wives made a pill
grimage once year from all parts of
Normandy. Pauline passed between the
crumbled walls and came to a broken
archway. In a corner, through this
archway. was a small door leading into
the chapel. The girl raised the latch and
stepped in.
The chapel was almost in darkness.
Near the entrance was small table upon
which there stood a tall, thin taper 1t
gave out but feeble light. Beside
it lay a quantity of similar tapers,
ranged in a row ready for light
ing. Close to this table. in a low
chair, sat an old woman. She was fast
asleep. Her face was thin and wrinkled.
Her white head was bent forward, and
her long, pointed chin was resting on her
breast. Above the altar dim lamp was
burning among the black shadows. 1t
was as somber and silent place as the
entrance to sepulcher. The wind
moaning among the ruins outside, was
the only sound that reached Pauline
ear as she glided up the aisle and sank
down upon the altar steps, clasping her
hands in prayer.
Pauline Delille had known her lover
ever since she was a child. They had
lived all their lives in the same village
the village of Grainval-and when Pau
line had reached womanhood Fernand
had asked her to become his wife. The
young sailor had lately inherited a small
farm through the death of his father;
and 1t had been his intention, as soon as
the herring season was over, to give up
the sea and marry Pauline. The mar
month time.
That day the girl had pictured Fernand,
as she had so often seen him. steering the
Lionne into harbor-a strong figure sta
toned at the helm; a brave face with
dark and watchful eyes. And such was
the vision which rose before her now as
she knelt upon the altar steps in the little
chapel. praying for Fernand's safe deliv-
erance from the perils and dangers of the
sea.
Suddenly vivid fash of lightning
lit up every corner of the chapel
with its CHASTITY, quivering brightness.
The white stone floor. worn by the tread
of many a generation of pilgrims; the
large painted window over the altar, rep
resenting the Virgin and Child: the dark
g tha orchal oil no
came for an instant as visible as though
the ghost of daylight had looked in.
Then followed a clap Of thunder, which
sounded as if the cliff close by had fallen
with crash into the sea.
Pauline Dehne started to her feet with
a painful cry upon her white lips.
She fled toward the chapel door, and
hurried out into the storm. In shell
tered corner among the ruins Pauline
heard the terrified flock of sheep bleatine
piteously. The shepherd was not there.
The girl stopped and peered into the
darkness. Another flash of lightning re-
vealed him. she recognized his towering
form at the edge of the cliff. Pauline
crept cautiously forward, calling hin
loudly by name.
Pierre LIE Tour"
He had heard her. for in the shadow
Pauline saw him approaching.
Pauline, said he, as she reached hi
side, Il have seen the Lionne."
"You have seen her!'
"Yes.
"Where!''
The shepherd seized her wrist.
Come" he replied, Il will show
you"
She yielded helplessly, consenting to b
led like one who is blind, for she coulC
not see at that moment an inch befor
her; the wind and rain were beating il
her face, and she was half dead witt
terror and expectation.
After ascending a few steps to tn
summit of the cliff Pierre LIE lou
stopped. Pauline heard the waves break
ing with deafening roar 100 feet below
them.
Look" said Pierre, "look toward tn
sea and wait.
Pauline obeyed. But she had scarcel
waited moment, with her eyes straine
eagerly seaward, when another flash O
lightning quivered out of the dark clouds